Day 20: I would sail 500 miles, and I would sail 500 more
We have had a really good 24 hours sailing and sometime over the course of
tonight we will pass the threshold that sees us with less than 500 miles until
we reach landfall in Saint Lucia. This feels good. We have had
another shift in our perception when a 500 mile sail seems short. We have
sailed 2250 miles so far, and based on some of Dave's calculations our log may
be reading 10% lower than it should, so we may have sailed 2500 (which to be
honest with our track makes more sense!).
Ewen and I had fun this morning. We have been having ‘balance
challenges’. The challenge involves standing upright (on two feet) and
staying standing up for as long as possible. This sounds simple. Add
to it pitchy seas and a rolling boat creating totally unpredictable movement and
the fun starts. Two weeks ago our balance was poor. Now it is
significantly better. We decided that we should record our synchronised
movements on video. We look like eighties cartoon characters with slightly
uncontrolled and over compensated movement to small stimuli. We move almost in
harmony to an un-choreographed dance. If you want to bring a smile to your
face then its definitely worth watching.
Our daily gross movement and exercise rate is small. We probably walk the
length of the deck (49 feet) only a handful of times each day, and apart from
fear and adrenaline nothing raises our heart rate significantly. However
we are constantly moving. Even the simplest of tasks takes effort and
energy. To coordinate cleaning our teeth or sitting on the toilet requires total
concentration. Muscles are recruited to provide a bracing action allowing
the required task to be completed. This can involve feet, forearms, hands,
head or any area of ones body near a solid surface. Several points of
contact are needed to counteract all possible motion. Bruises abound.
Pouring a glass of water requires holding the glass to stop it flying
away. Holding the bottle between knees to remove the cap and then
carefully aim a moving stream of liquid into a moving target of glass on a
moving boat. You then need to keep the water in the glass, and the glass on the
table whilst you screw the top back on and place it in the fridge. Simple
really!
Cal has taken to daily press-ups and has got me involved. The idea is
he does 24 at a time and I increase mine by one each day. Its like
doing press-ups on a giant wobble board. I am sure that all of this is
doing wonders for our core strength along with our humour.
We have all said today how good it will be to feel stable land under our
feet and to stride out and walk. We are dreaming of walking along the beaches
looking at the shells and the coral, or around the market in Castries getting
some fresh fruit and veg. To step out again and walk will be a joy.
For I would walk 500 miles...